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Stingray Classic 5, string help.

Bassometer

Bassometer

Mar 3, 2010
853
313
Ontario, Canada & New York State
#1
I recently purchased a Stingray Classic 5. I really enjoy this instrument. I play mostly classic rock and a bit of funk. I tend to run the bass at 50% and the treble at 0 - 10%. I run my amp flat, the contour set at zero and my cab tweeter at 25%. I am looking for smooth strings (I think that eliminates all SS as far as I know), creamy highs and something with reduced "clank", also with nice mids. I love the tight bottom end of the Stingray, I know it is inherently a "clank" bass but I over come most of it by adjusting my technique.

I have tried (this is just my opinion, I do not want to offend anyone):
- Dadario XL, I don't like these strings.
- Dunlop Nickel, too flabby not enough definition in the mix.
- DR LoRider Nickel, love them just a tad bit too stiff.
- DR Sunbeams, great tone too flabby.
- EB Slinky - too sticky, bad dead tone.
- GHS Pressure would - way too tight.

And body have any thoughts on:

- Dean Markley Helix NPS? Do they sound like Sunbeam's but a bit stiffer?
- Dunlop Super bright Nickel? I wish they had a .130 B, I'm afraid the .125 will be too sloppy on the Stingray.

Also, I plan on running stock guage on this bass and it only has the option of thru the body.

Thanks
 
#2
Bassometer said:
I am looking for smooth strings (I think that eliminates all SS as far as I know), creamy highs and something with reduced "clank", also with nice mids. I love the tight bottom end of the Stingray...

- Dadario XL, I don't like these strings,
- Dunlop Nickel, too flabby not enough definition in the mix.
- DR LoRider Nickel, love them just a tad bit too stiff.
- DR Sunbeams, great tone too flabby.
- EB Slinky - too sticky, bad dead tone.
- GHS Pressure would - way too tight.
Click to expand...

Out of the six mentioned, I can only comment on four based on my personal experience.

D'A XL Nickels - Too rough under my fingers, high end a little too harsh. (Referring to EXL170BT)
DR Nickel Lo-Riders - Smoother under my fingers compared to the D'A, top end a little more subdued as well. Good overall tension/stiffness on the 40-100 set I tried. What gauges did you find "too stiff"?
DR Sunbeams - Full, warm bottom with smooth top end. Wonderfully supple for my left hand but a tad too floppy under my right.
GHS Pressurewound - I find the ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) well-balanced in terms of both tension and tone. Again, what gauges did you try that you found "way too tight"?
 
#6
Bassometer said:
- GHS Pressure would - way too tight.
Click to expand...

michael_t said:
GHS Pressurewound - I find the ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) well-balanced in terms of both tension and tone. Again, what gauges did you try that you found "way too tight"?
Click to expand...

I've just realized you're talking about the 5-string set, which only comes as a medium set (44-62-84-106-128) from the factory.

My suggestion would be to get a ML7200 4-string set (44-58-60-102) and add a single .128B.

ML7200: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Single B: Invalid Link Removed
 
#7
D'A XL Nickels - Too rough under my fingers, high end a little too harsh. (Referring to EXL170BT).
Yes - I agree

DR Nickel Lo-Riders - Smoother under my fingers compared to the D'A, top end a little more subdued as well. Good overall tension/stiffness on the 40-100 set I tried. What gauges did you find "too stiff"?
I was using .045, .065, .085, .105, .130. I am under the opinion that a .130 is required for a 34" scale.

DR Sunbeams - Full, warm bottom with smooth top end. Wonderfully supple for my left hand but a tad too floppy under my right.
I also agree, the right hand is floppy for finger style.


GHS Pressurewound - I find the ML7200 set (44-58-80-102) well-balanced in terms of both tension and tone. Again, what gauges did you try that you found "way too tight"?
There is only one guage for 5 string: .044, .062, .084, .106, .128. I found them to be very stiff
 
#8
Rotosound swingbass nickel strings are sometimes overlooked but very nice. Fenders nickel and nickel plated strings are very good too.

It has been a while since I used Rotosound swingbass, I seem to remember them as being rough textured. I used to use the old style Fender 8250's, I liked them but not a fan of the new style. The pure Nickel's - it has been a long long time since I heard those, interesting - what do the sound like?
 
#10
I don't want to steal @mmbongo's thunder, but it is possible to get a .130 B with the Dunlop Super Brights. You can either get a 4-string set and buy the .130 separately:

Invalid Link Removed

Or buy a 6-string set and don't use the C:

Invalid Link Removed

For these strings, many (most?) folks seem to like the .130 much better than the .125.
 
#17
Maybe Elixirs?

That's what I have on my EBMM Sterling right now, and they are difinately smooth feeling and I would call their tone a little on the "soft" side.

One of my favorites on my EBMM bass were the DR Silver Stars, but they are round core )like the Sunbeams) so they might not work for you. The SS's have a smoother feel to them as well, brighter than Elixirs for sure.
 
#20
Bassometer said:
I recently purchased a Stingray Classic 5. I really enjoy this instrument. I play mostly classic rock and a bit of funk. I tend to run the bass at 50% and the treble at 0 - 10%. I run my amp flat, the contour set at zero and my cab tweeter at 25%. I am looking for smooth strings (I think that eliminates all SS as far as I know), creamy highs and something with reduced "clank", also with nice mids. I love the tight bottom end of the Stingray, I know it is inherently a "clank" bass but I over come most of it by adjusting my technique.

I have tried (this is just my opinion, I do not want to offend anyone):
- Dadario XL, I don't like these strings.
- Dunlop Nickel, too flabby not enough definition in the mix.
- DR LoRider Nickel, love them just a tad bit too stiff.
- DR Sunbeams, great tone too flabby.
- EB Slinky - too sticky, bad dead tone.
- GHS Pressure would - way too tight.

And body have any thoughts on:

- Dean Markley Helix NPS? Do they sound like Sunbeam's but a bit stiffer?
- Dunlop Super bright Nickel? I wish they had a .130 B, I'm afraid the .125 will be too sloppy on the Stingray.

Also, I plan on running stock guage on this bass and it only has the option of thru the body.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Not on your list but the DR DDT (drop down tuning) strings sound and feel like they are destined to be on music man basses
 

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